Ensuring access to clean water by women and children in rural Kenya

The Kochogo Kakola Community Water and Sanitation Project in Kisumu district, Western Kenya, is presented in this paper as an ongoing successful women initiated and managed water and sanitation programme in rural Kenya supported by the Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO). It is suggested that this project has had a considerable impact on the community, their economy and environment. Part of the success of the project was attributed to the high degree of community participation in its conception, planning and implementation and decision making at all stages. The project was also seen as demonstrating how proper leadership and a well organized community can manage project affairs on their own. This was evidenced by the long term sustainability of the project's operation and maintenance. The mix of community inputs versus those of governmental and non-governmental organizations was also seen as being well balanced. Finally, this project demonstrated how rural women, given ample time, can be innovative, and show care about their environment combined with a consideration of the economic-social status of their communities.